Description

DARTMOUTH

SX85SE OLD MILL CREEK
673-1/2/1 Hermitage Castle and attached
08/11/88 retaining wall adjoining to south

II

Folly tower, possibly a rebuild of an earlier building of
uncertain purpose. 1790 or 1890, according to fragmentary
inscription, but lowest level probably earlier. Mainly local
limestone rubble although lowest level of coursed stone with
ashlar lining internally; no floors, roof or chimneyshafts
remaining.
PLAN: Circular tower approximately 4.5 metres in diameter and
13 metres high with stone stair tower on south-east side
giving an overall ovoid plan.
EXTERIOR: 4 storeys when floored, with middle 2 floors heated.
Northern doorway has segmental head, an external splay with
rusty iron spigots. Directly above large window embrasures,
also with segmental heads, to the main rooms. To left are
smaller windows with pointed-arch heads and remains of simple
hoodmoulds. Lower one is blind (backing onto the fireplace)
and surviving right label stop inscribed "90", presumably from
a date. At the top level, on the south-west side, the remains
of a doorway onto an artificial terrace on top of the cliff -
a Tudor arch, but large hole of collapsed masonry on left
side. Stair on south-east side has tiny windows. Top of the
walls have collapsed.
INTERIOR: Recessed alcove with roughly parabolic-arch head and
very low segmental arch to the stone stairs. First-floor level
has 4 segment-headed arches, one to stairs and others to
alcoves, and remains of a fireplace. Second floor similar with
one alcove and fireplace under a brick segmental arch. Stone
newel stair runs clear from top to bottom, and remains show it
rising to the roof or wall walk.

Listing NGR: SX8657752155

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26580395

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy